Zeitschrift für Zytologie und Histologie

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous disease caused by the actinomyces species, most commonly, Actinomyces israelii. Primary actinomycosis of the bladder is rare and is usually associated with abdomino-pelvic infection and prolonged use of Intrauterine Device (IUD). On imaging, it can often be mistaken for a malignancy. We report a case of a 55-year-old female with weight loss, anaemia and chronic pelvic discharge with a history of a retained IUD. An initial Computerized Tomography (CT) revealed an adnexal mass that was pelvically resected. A rigid cystoscopy was then performed and an incidental posterior bladder wall mass revealed actinomycosis

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) associated with Xp11.2 translocations (Xp11.2 TRCCs) form a new and little known entity of the WHO 2004 classification [1-23]. de Jong et al. [1] and Tomlinson et al [2] first described Xp11 translocation as a previously unknown finding in the karyotype of two atypical renal masses presenting in infant males [13]. These neoplasms are defined by several translocations involving the transcription factor 3 (TFE3) gene that is located on chromosome Xp11.2, resulting in a gene fusion between TFE3 and at least 5 possible partners [3-7,16,18,21,23]. These include a distinctive RCC which bears a translocation with the identical chromosomal breakpoints (Xp11.2, 17q25) and identical resulting ASPL-TFE3 gene fusion as alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), with the distinction that the t(X;17) translocation is cytogenetically balanced in these renal tumors [4]. The most commonly observed translocations are t(X;17)(p11.2;q25), t(X;1) (p11.2;p34), and t(X;1)(p11.2;q21), which lead to gene fusions of TFE3 with ASPL, PSF, and PRCC, respectively [3,15,16]. This review aims to highlight the helpful histologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic features of this entity to enable correct diagnosis.

Background: Although Eutherian represents a higher-level taxon that includes all mammals except monotremes and marsupials, these two last groups especially the metatherians (marsupials) represent an important source of information on the evolution of the reproductive features in eutherian mammals. The aim of the present study was to describe the macroscopic and microscopic morphological features of Caluromys philander foetuses at two estimated developmental stages: 20 and 25 days of age.
Methods: Twelve foetuses were obtained from two females and according to the Crown-rump lengths they were allocated in two Groups (Group I=about 20 days and Group II=about 25 days). The weight was also determined. After fixation in 70% ethanol or 10% formalin the specimens were examined by means of gross morphology and the external features were photo-documented. After that, the samples were dehydrated using increasingly concentrated ethanol solutions (70 to 100%), cleared in xylene, and embedded in paraplast. The paraffin blocks were sliced into 5 μm thick sections and the slides were stained using haematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome. Descriptive data were organised according to the body regions: cranial, thoracic, and abdominal.
Results: Specimens from Group I showed more premature features, such as a more pronounced cervical
curvature, than those in Group II. In addition, individuals from both groups exhibited more developed forelimbs than hind limbs. In relation to the cranial region, in both stages the retina was pigmented, but in Group II the ocular globe, the external ear and the eyelid projection were more prominent, as were the emergence of a row of hair on the eyelids and the presence of a darkened strip of hair between the eyes. Histological analysis showed that in Group II the skull bones were more calcified than in the Group I. In both groups, there was only a small opening in the mouth to allow for attachment to the nipples. The tongue was a well-developed organ and the onset of teeth formation was only visible in histological sections. Heart and lungs were observed in the thoracic region and they were composed by typical cells, structures, and layers. They were protected by the rib cage, which was undergoing ossification leading to rib formation. The organs inside the abdominal region mainly related to the digestory system (liver, stomach, and intestinal loops), as well as the kidney showed similar characteristics in relation to the stage of development and cellular composition between the two groups. The sexes in both groups were distinguished through the external genitalia.
Conclusion: The results showed that at approximately 20 to 25 days of development, C. philander foetuses still present macroscopic features typical of preterm individuals. However, the vital organs required for survival in the external environment have formed and are able to perform their normal functions.

Lead toxicity in the testes has been described to be capable of inducing cell death by apoptosis and necrosis. Such toxicity can be attenuated by selenium and zinc synergy treatment in trace amount. This study evaluates the role and distribution of macrophages/histocytes (CD68), B-Lymphocytes (CD20) and T-Lymphocytes (CD3) in the testes of lead, selenium and zinc treated rats. 60 F1 generation adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 15 animals each. Group 1 received normal saline, group 2: 100 mg/Kg of lead acetate, group 3: 100 mg/kg of lead acetate then 2.25 mg/ Kg each of Zinc (Chelated zinc) and Selenium (Sodium Selenium) and group 4: 2.25 mg/kg of zinc and selenium (Se+Zn). The duration of treatment was 56 days following which the animals were sacrificed on the 57th day and the testes harvested and fixed in Bouin’s fluid. CD3, CD20 and CD68 are distributed within the epithelium and the interstitium of the Pb treated testis, the expression level is influenced by the extent of the damage posed by Pb toxicity and not by the proliferative tendencies of Se+Zn treatment did protect the germinal epithelium and the macrophage/lymphocyte cell lines.